The Washington critic., 1887-06-06
WASHINGTON, JUNE 6, 1887.
SAVED FROM HIS FRIENDS.

nevertheless. But the Irish editor has
shown quite as much tact and wisdom
in the latter case as he exhibited
GOODNESS and courage in the
former, BY identifying himself with
the Labor Union mass meeting held
Saturday evening he would not only
have destroy hi' own standing aud
influence as an advocate of the cause
of Ireland, but have dealt the ciu5e
itself possibly fatal bln1,
The managers of the Union square
meeting OF course took no such view
of the matter. They doubtless desired
to do honor to distinguished visitor
and at the same time make him useful
to themselves. But even the London
Times, II it had been inlrusted with
the entire manipulation Of the scheme,
could have devised no trap so fatal as
was unwiitingly set at Mr.. O'Brieu's
feet for him 10 walk into. We say un.
Willingly, yet It ia almost inconceiv-
able bow the committee on resolutions
should have failed to see the impro
priety of injecting Henry George and
Edward McGlynn into the proceedings
of meeting ostensibly called for the
specific purpose of extending William
O'Brien a sympathetic welcome.
To have participated in the meeting,
in the slightest degree, would have been
construed at home as an Endorsement
of Henry Georges land theories, con.
cerning which the Home Rulers are
anything but unit in their favor. II
would also have committed him, at
least In appearance, to the interests OF
DIR. McGlynn, and made him party to
quarrel in which the clergy of Ireland,
If they have ever given the question
any consideration at all, would surely
be found arrayed on the side of the
Pope's authority over his own Church.
More than all this, Mr.. O'Brien did
not care TO be present at meeting pre-
sided over by John Mackin, who is
understood to be an apologist for, If
not a defender of, the Phoenix Park
murders. He appreciated the hospi.
taliiy of his friends, but pruden,ly de.
INJURED to their judgment. Had he
done otherwise-had he not protested
with an unmistakeuble emphasis. but
at the same time with marked dignity,
against being compromised In this
ma,ter-had he yielded so much as
hairs breadth 10 the blunderiug folly
of the Union Square Committee, 1t
would have been all up with William
O'Biien as n Home Rule leader. To
have perished by the club of Toronto
Orapgcman would have been less
miserable fate. But his good sense
saved him.
THE Army officers who awarded the
several standards Of merit to the con.
testing companies "A, the recent military
drill were suggested by General Sheri.
dan from his knowledge of their pro.
flciency in drill tactics. During the
several days of exhibition, the judges,
each for himself and without the
knowledge Of the others, made sepa.
rate records on prescribed formula
of tactics, in accordance with the West
Point code, and not till the drill was
completed did they compare notes.
Then the conclusion was reached by
adding up the marks of merit of all the
judges and awarding the prizes and
rank of proficiency from the best
average of the combined individual
reports of the several judges. This
would seem 10 be entirely fair and con.
elusive.
1T is said that Chief Brooks Of the
Secret Service Division of the Treasury
Department is unable to account for tho
exercise of executive clemency In the
case of Brockway, the notorious forger
and counterfeiter. His career has been
one of continuous crime, without re-
deeming symptom Of penitence OF re-
form. He has been half dozen times
sent to the penitentiary only to be dealt
with finally as an injured citizen de-
serving OF sympathy. II does seem a
little strange that man whose hand
has always been against his fellow. men
should be an object of leniency. He who
makes business of Imposing spurious
money on community is worse than n
burglar and infinitely more to be de.
spised and guarded against than tue
average thief.
The Court in General Term having
decided that the law of '6l. relative to
Sunday closing, is not and never was a
law, the Commissioners are now think
ing about going twenty years further
back for another statutory relic on
which 10 act. We do not see any great
necessity for such pertinacity in the
matter. Why don't the Commission.
ers wait until they can get decent
well.consldered law through Congress
that will cover the caseY
THE Cunard Steamer Umbria, which
arrived In New York Saturday even
ing, astonished herself by the quick
ness OF her passage. being only sls
days, four hours. and twelve minutes
from Queenstown, which beats all pre-
vious records between Queenstown and
New York, coming this way. Had
she not gone AZ mi 'es out Of her usua
course for fear of icebergs, she would
have arrived couple of hours sooner.
THE disturbance which General Tut
tie Ia raising about the contemplated
visit OF the President to st. Louis will
doubtless have the effect of duplicating